Mac reverses your scroll direction by default — here's how to change it back
On Mac, scrolling works backwards from what most people expect. When you scroll up on your mouse wheel, the page moves down instead of up. This is called natural scrolling, and Apple turned it on by default because it matches how you scroll on a trackpad — your finger moves up, the content moves up with it, as if you're pushing the page itself.
If you want traditional scrolling — where moving your mouse wheel up scrolls the page up — you can turn off natural scrolling in System Settings in about 30 seconds. The setting is the same whether you use a Magic Mouse, a trackpad, or a third-party mouse. You don't need any special software or technical knowledge to make the change.
Key Takeaways
- Mac's default "natural scrolling" makes the page move in the direction your fingers move, which feels backwards on a traditional mouse wheel.
- You can change this in System Settings under Mouse or Trackpad by unchecking "Scroll direction: natural".
- The setting applies to whichever input device you're using — Magic Mouse, trackpad, or external mouse.
- You can have different scroll directions for your trackpad and mouse at the same time if you use both.
How to change scroll direction for a mouse
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Settings. Then click Mouse in the left sidebar.
Under the Scrolling section, you'll see a checkbox labeled "Scroll direction: natural". If it's checked, your scroll is set to natural. Uncheck it to make the scroll wheel work the traditional way — wheel up moves the page up.
Close System Settings. The change takes effect when ready. Test it by scrolling on any webpage or document to confirm the direction feels right to you.
How to change scroll direction for a trackpad
If you're using a trackpad instead of a mouse, the setting is in a different place. Open System Settings and click Trackpad in the left sidebar.
Click the Scrolling & Gestures tab. You'll see the same "Scroll direction: natural" checkbox. Uncheck it to reverse the direction — now swiping up on your trackpad will scroll the page up instead of down.
You can have natural scrolling on your trackpad and traditional scrolling on your mouse at the same time. Just change the setting in each place separately. This is useful if you prefer one direction for touch input and another for a wheel.
Why Mac uses natural scrolling by default
Apple switched to natural scrolling in 2011 with OS X Lion because it matches how people scroll on touchscreens and trackpads. On an iPad or iPhone, you swipe up to move content up — your finger pushes the page. On a Mac trackpad, Apple made scrolling work the same way to feel more intuitive.
The problem is that a traditional mouse wheel doesn't feel like pushing. Your brain expects the wheel to work like a scroll bar — turn it up, content goes up. So if you're coming from Windows or using an external mouse, natural scrolling feels backwards. This is why many people who switch to Mac or add a mouse to their setup change this setting when ready.
Changing scroll direction for third-party mice
If you're using a Logitech, Razer, or other brand of mouse, the scroll direction setting in System Settings still controls it. You don't need to install the mouse's own software to change scroll direction — System Settings handles it for most mice.
Some third-party mice come with their own control software that may override System Settings. If you installed software for your mouse and the System Settings change doesn't stick, open that software and look for a scroll direction or scrolling preference. The mouse's own app will take priority over the Mac's built-in settings, so you'll need to change it there instead.
What to do if the setting doesn't change
If you unchecked "Scroll direction: natural" and scrolling still feels backwards, make sure you're looking at the right device. If you have both a trackpad and a mouse connected, they have separate settings. Check that you changed the setting for the device you're actually using right now.
If you're using a third-party mouse with its own software, that software may be overriding System Settings. Quit the mouse software completely, then test scrolling again. If it works after closing the app, you'll need to change the setting in the mouse's control panel instead of System Settings. Some mice also have a physical button or switch to toggle scroll direction, so check your mouse's manual if the software approach doesn't work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different scroll directions for my mouse and trackpad?
Yes. The Mouse and Trackpad settings are separate in System Settings. You can uncheck "Scroll direction: natural" for your mouse while leaving it checked for your trackpad, or vice versa. Each device remembers its own setting independently.
Does changing scroll direction affect keyboard shortcuts or other gestures?
No. The scroll direction setting only changes how scrolling works. Keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures like pinch-to-zoom, and other Mac features work the same way regardless of your scroll setting.
Will this setting stay the same after I restart my Mac?
Yes. Once you change the scroll direction setting, it stays that way until you change it again. Restarting your Mac won't reset it to the default.
What if I want natural scrolling on my trackpad but traditional scrolling on my mouse?
Go to System Settings, click Mouse, and uncheck "Scroll direction: natural". Then go to System Settings, click Trackpad, and make sure "Scroll direction: natural" is checked. Each device keeps its own setting.
Does scroll direction affect how I scroll in specific programs like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro?
No. The scroll direction setting applies system-wide to all programs. Every app on your Mac will use the same scroll direction you set in System Settings, unless you're using a third-party mouse with its own software that overrides the Mac setting.